Customer Reviews

Letter of Love from China

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When adopted children do not have access to a birthparent and the answers they are looking for, adoptive parents become the sole source of this information - and their child's perception of what it means to be placed for adoption. As a birthmother, with an agenda of spreading the word on the love that goes behind this decision, I was extremely pleased to receive a copy of Letters of Love from China by Bonnie Cuzzolino. In an effort to provide answers to her daughter, adopted from China, author Bonnie Cuzzolino brings us an endearing children's book written as through the voice of a birthmother who writes to answer her child's questions. Illustrator Jax Bennett brings the letter to life with beautiful pictures that share the birthmother's love of her child and her country. The book begins "To My Precious Daughter," and provides the story of the birthmother's thoughtful but difficult decision to place her child with another family through adoption. The love that drives this decision is undeniable. Then, the book goes on to tell the child a bit about the country they were born in, China. The descriptions and illustrations share the traditions and beauties of the country that anyone can appreciate. By following this format, the book not only lets the child know how much they are truly loved (by birth families and adoptive families), but shows a respect for their beginnings and the country where their life began. The book helps children to see their self-worth and be proud of ALL that makes them who they are. It is a beautiful resource for adoptive parents with children from China, and an inspiration for all adoptive parents on how to talk with their child about being adopted. I highly recommend Letters of Love from China, and commend author Bonnie Cuzzolino for her insight and love when creating this heartwarming book.
By Patricia Dischler, Author, "Because I Loved You: A Birthmother's View of Open Adoption."

We have an incredible 5 1/2 year old daughter adopted from China almost five years ago. She is a happy, well adjusted girl but she is also quite sensitive and aware of her feelings. She has two younger "domestic" adopted siblings and we actually have very strong relationships with their birthfamilies.

Our oldest daughter has been experiencing some grief recently with the realization that she may never know her birthparents like her siblings do. Our hearts break for her because we know there is a big part of her past that is missing and she is beginning to realize it may be impossible for her to find them. Our family dynamic is so different than most of our friends with adopted children from China because of the relationships we have with our domestic adopted birthfamilies and the constant reminder to her that her birthfamily is unknown.

We have explained the situation in China and the rules pertaining to the one and two child policies in a careful manner, we want to make sure we do not speak in a negative manner toward China. We have also let her know that somewhere on the other side of the world, someone is thinking of her and someone loves her deeply. When we discovered this beautifully illustrated book, it helped her to gain her birthfamily perspective in a very unassuming way. The timing couldn't have been more perfect and the author actually wrote the book for her own 5 year old daughter, which gave our daughter someone to relate to.

Our daughter loves this book and reads it several times a week. It has also helped her to come up with some specific questions, thoughts and reflections that have helped us all talk about her adoption and help her deal with the grief and loss of losing both her birthparents, her foster parents and her country of origin. In addition, this book very sweetly illustrates the love bond between birthfamilies and their children and it allows the child to feel as if she could be in touch with her birthfamily through thoughts and messages sent when she looks at the moon.

We have since begun making cards for her birthfamily. She will keep those and add to them as she feels the need. We also have made cards for her foster family and the orphanage that oversaw her care for her first year. We will mail those quarterly and we hope to visit her orphanage when she is about 10 years old. This book has helped us talk about her needs and for now, these cards will help her express her feelings toward those that she thinks about.

We especially recommend this book for any family who has a child that does not, or will not know their birthfamilies. It is appropriate for a young child to begin to explain adoption as a part of who they are and the birthparent perspective as well.

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and they go along well with the story. The characters all look so soft and sweet, the illustrator has an amazing talent and she deserves recognition! Way to go ladies!

We saw this book offered as a raffle prize at a recent Chinese New Year celebration but were not lucky enough to win. We did, however, note how beautifully the book was written and illustrated and wanted a copy for our adopted daughter who was asking many questions about her birth mom. Many of the Amazon prices were a little too high for our liking but we did find the book can be purchased through Plum Blossom Books for $12 + $7 shipping. We received the book, autographed by the author, and have been reading it to our daughter. Highly recommended.

I was so impressed with the beautiful message and captivating illustrations of this book! As a licensed clinical social worker and upcoming occupational therapist, I have worked with dozens of adopted children who long to understand and organize emotions related to their life changing adoption. The author, a mother of an adopted child herself, has created a story that serves as an excellent tool for caregivers of adopted children to do just that. I highly recommend this book to all parents of adopted children, as it paves the way for children to express emotions and thoughts to their parents with ease. Creating this opportunity for your children is critical to the parent-child relationship. Most importantly, this books reminds all people of the ultimate love- selfless love- that every child so much deserves.